Lead-in structure for vacuum tubes



Oct. 25 1949. s uc 2,486,065

LEAD-IN STRUCTURE FOR VACUUM TUBES Filed July 16, 1946 4'plaaplaaaulurnnanauaai 2 7a 7 IWENTOR.

Patented Oct. 25, 1949 LEAD-IN STRUCTURE FOR VACUUM TUBES Henri Saucet,Paris, France, assignor to Societe Francaise Radio-Electrlque, acorporation of France Application July 16, 1946, Serial No. 684,054 InFrance April 24, 1944 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Fatentexpires April 24, 1964 3 illaiins.

This invention relates to a method for closing vacuum tubes by means ofsealed joints.

Vacuum tubes are generally closed by means of an annular weld whichconnects a base to a bulb.

The present invention concerns a method which permits of closing avacuum tube, even of a high power, without necessitating first themaking of a base. The principle of the method consists in interposingbetween the glass portions to be united, a metallic, annular andperforated disk, the continuity of which is insured by lugs; in heatingthis disk in a high frequency oven at a temperature high enough forfusing the glass and thus achieve the soldering; finally, in eliminatingor severing the lugs so as to obtain, in the glass container of thevacuum tube, several metallic isolated sectors which may be used aslead-in connections for the electrodes or for the fixation of the tube.My invention will be more readily understoood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l diagrammatically shows one form of vacuum tube constructed inaccordance with my improved method;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal plan view of the disk assembly employedfor supporting the tube electrodes prior to the severance of the diskinto sectors for forming the connecting means for the severalelectrodes, the view being taken looking down on the disk assembly inthe direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration showing the principle involved insevering a disk in a tube constructed similar to the tube of Fig. 2, butincluding a smaller number of inwardly directed supporting lug members,into sectors for providing electrical connections for the electrodeswithin the tube; and

Fig. 4 shows one manner of establishing electrical connection with thelugs extending from the sectors formed by the disk.

In Figure 1, I have illustrated a multiple valve comprising a pair oftwo electrode valves assembled in cup-like containers disposedend-to-end on the disk assembly which unites or couples the enclosingenvelope. While I have illustrated the invention in connection with twoelectrode valves it will be understood that the method and principles ofmy invention are readily applicable to multiple electrode valves andthat the disclosure herein is simply for illustrative purposes inexplaining the principles employed in the method of apparatus of myinvention.

Fig. 2 gives, by way of nonlimitative example, as regards the number,form and arrangement of the individual elements, an embodiment accordingto the invention. The metallic, perforated disk, made of a metal havingthe same dilatation coefficient as glass (for example, a composter-.1comprising 54% of iron, 23% of nickel and 1? cl cobalt; or a compositionsuch as ferrochromium, etc. is interposed between the glass parts to beunited along rimming portions l, 2, 3, separated by as many intervalsvoid of metal l, 3, the continuity of the disk being insured by metalliclugs 4. During the heating of the metal, the fusion of glass is effectedeither through contact in intervals l, 2, 3, or through radiation inintervals l, 3, where lugs t happen to be at a higher temperature thanthe remainder of the disk, for they are situated in a more intense highfrequency field and are not cooled by the contact of glass. During thewelding operation, glass flows into the intervals I, 3, Where a smallempty space exists between the two glass parts to be united, and thevoid is progressively filled in from 1 towards 3, from 3 towards l, andfrom the exterior towards the interior. When the soldering is finished,the lugs 4 are mechanically removed, or severed and there is obtained anassembly of several metallic sectors which are substantially welded inthe glass container of the vacuum tube and electrically insulated. Thewhole has then an appearance similar to that schematically representedin Fig. 3, in which the disk assembly is divided into sectorsrepresented at 8, 9 and ill by clipping off the eXceess of theprojections constituted by lugs 4. Thus, the sectors form separateelectrical buses or connectors leading to the electrodes interiorly ofthe tube.

In the embodiments of my invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 thetube electrodes have been illustrated generally at H, l2, and i4. Theseelectrodes have been illustrated generally in elevation in Fig. l and inthe particular assembly shown constitute a heater M, an electron emitterl2, and a plate electrode 44. These electrodes are supported andelectrically connected with the metallic lug 6 by wire supportsrepresented at l5 which may be bent to shape in providing the requiredmechanical support and electrical connection to the several electrodes.

It appears, quite obviously, that the method according to the inventionpermits of eliminating the conventional base of the valve and replacingit by a cup 5 (Fig, 1) serving only as container, by utilizing everymetallic sector as lead-in connection for the current and mounting allthe electrodes on metallic lugs 6 (see Fig. 2). The same method permitsalso of eliminating the socket and the fixation of the tube in the set,by utilizing the lugs I (Fig. 2) which may, for instance, be piercedwith a hole 1a receiving a screw, or be folded in order to insertbetween two clips l6 and H, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

In the assembly view illustrated in Fig. l I have shown one cup-shapedclosure container 5 extending upwardly from the horizontally extendingdisk assembly for housing one set of tube electrodes. A similarcup-shaped closure container 5' depends downwardly from the diskassembly and serves to house the set of electrodes represented at H, l2and I4, corresponding to the electrodes I I, I2 and 14 within container5. The two tubes are exhausted through the sealing off connectionrepresented at [9. The depending support [5 is representative of thesupporting and electrical connecting members which extend from theinwardly directed metallic lugs 6 for mounting the second set ofelectrodes within the envelope of the tube. I have represented thewelded connection of the envelope 5 with the horizontally extendingdisk. assembly at ill. I have similarly represented the weldedconnection of tubular envelope 5 with the horizontally extending diskmember by the annular weld l8.

It will be understood that Fig. 3 represents the arrangement of threeconnecting sectors after severance of the external portions of lugs lleaving an insulation gap 20, 2| and 22 therebetween. For purposes ofexplaining my invention Fig. 3 illustrates only three such sectors;although the form of my invention shown in Fig, 2 when ultimatelycompleted for use would provide for four such sectors. 2 electricalconnections to opposite ends of the heater electrode, and a connectionto a cathode electrode, and a connection to an anode, may be provided.In the more restricted arrangement of Fig. 3, connections will beprovided for opposite ends of a heater electrode, or cathode, and for ananode. Any combination of electrodes may readily be provided for bysimply increasing the number of sectors in the disk or annular ringassembly.

For the utilization of the valve on short waves, the lugs I (Fig. 2)will be preferably disposed opposite to the lugs 6, so as to have aminimum length at the outlet. The lugs may also be covered with aconductive metal, such as copper, silver, gold, etc. e. g. throughelectrolytic means; likewise, it is also possible to silver the entirering before the closing.

In addition, it will be understood that the same vacuum tube may includeseveral rings according to the invention located at different levels orspaced from each other longitudinally of the tube.

What I claim is:

1. A vacuum tube comprising a relatively flat annular conductor having aplurality of radial slots disposed therein with outwardly projectinglugs adjacent said slots, inwardly extending lugs connected with saidflat annular conductor, an electrode assembly having the electrodesthereof Thus, in the arrangement in Fig.

mechanically supported and electrically connected with said inwardlyextending lugs, an enclosing container enveloping said electrodeassembly and connected with said flat annular conductor nd radiallydisposed lugs connected with the flat annular conductor intermediate theradially disposed slots therein forming electrical connections to theelectrodes of the electrode assembly within said container, theprojecting lugs on said conductor adjacent the slots therein beingseverable for isolating said conductor into electrically connectingsegments.

2. A vacuum tube system comprising an electrically conducting flatperipheral member, electrically conducting tongues extending radiallyinward from said member, electrically conducting lugs projectingradially outwardly from said member, there being radially disposed slotsinteriorly of said member and having offset projecting lugs radiallyaligned therewith, an electrode assembly having electrodes supported bysaid inwardly directed tongues, and an envelope enclosing said electrodeassembly and peripherally connected with said electrically conductingflat peripheral member, the offset projecting portions of saidperipheral member being severable for providing independent sectorselectrically connecting said electrodes,

3. A multiple vacuum tube structure, comprising a central fiat ringmember having inwardly extending radially directed tongues thereon andoutwardly extending projections intermediate the said tongues, theprojections being partially slotted adjacent the inner portions of saidflat ring member in alignment with each of the outwardly extendingprojections, electrode assemblies supported by said tongues andextending in opposite directions with respect to said flat ring member,envelopes enclosing said electrode assemblies and welded on oppositefaces of said flat ring member with the material thereof extendingbetween the partial slotted portions of said flat ring member adjacentthe outwardly extending projections, said outwardly extendingprojections being severable externally of said envelopes formingisolated sectors in said flat ring member where each of said sectorsprovides elec trical connection means for electrodes of the electrodeassemblies within said tube.

HENRI SAUCE'I'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,976,391 Foster Oct. 9, 19342,030, 87 Salzberg Feb. 11, 1936 2,037,231 Heintz Apr. 14, 19362,203,249 Bohme June 4, 1940 2,339,402 I-lerzog Jan. 18, 1944 2,395,043Goodchild Feb. 19, 1946

